Read For Success

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Hello and a very good July to all you happy merry readers out there. Life in the publishing world has been exciting and I am following a childhood dream.
As a young-un I was always somewhere far away instead of attending to my school work.
Late in life the dream has come true. CCP has taken me under it's wing and purchased the rights to my work and things are going swimmingly so I thought it was time you all met the wonderful people responsible for my success.
The following is an interview with Carly McCracken the founder of CCP and gives thumbs up to my work. (which by the way is good in publishing but as a roper if you rope with your thumb up you are probably gonna be called four fingers) :)

So sip that drink you have and read the how and why Crimson Cloak Publishing is reaching out to the hearts and minds of a new generation. Then put them in your favorite places and climb on board, (how do you all like those metaphors.

The Crimson Cloak Anthologies http://crimsoncloakpublishing.com/anthologies.html
Why do you do this?
Like the juggler who performed his acrobatics at the altar because he had no cash offering to lay upon it, we give what we can, donating our skills. Stories are only live when they are being read. Like children, after the struggle to bring them forth writers only want them to be happy and to do some good in the world. This way they can.
What do you get out of it?
To sell books, authors have to be visible; their work has to be seen. This way they can introduce their works to the world while doing some good. Everyone wins. Kindness is catching, you know! That’s why we started our Pink Piffing campaign: encouraging people to Pay It Forward in gratitude for their blessings, anything from being afforded the sight of a beautiful sunset to an unexpected windfall.
Isn’t this just corporate sponsorship?
As far as we know, this has never been done before in quite this way. It is a gift we make to a charity, followed up by marketing work to help it grow for them. It is their book, every copy sold generates money for the charity, none of the contributors earn anything from the anthologies. To raise money for themselves, a charity has only to open their heart and encourage people to buy the book, no request is made for actual publicity or branding. Some selling platforms don’t allow books to be permanently free, so selling it increases the range of outlets that will carry the book and generates more money for the charity. And if the charity can get direct sponsorship of their anthology for themselves, we will give them the written right to do this.
Aren’t you giving the book away as well?
Publishing is an odd business, giving a book away is a proven way of generating sales for it. People have to know about it before they can buy it! Each anthology contains a section about the charity it’s in aid of, what they are trying to do, links to their website etc., so the book acts like an advertising leaflet for that charity. Everyone loves a freebie: if the charity offers the book for free they can use it to thank their supporters for their interest, reward donors, tell new people about what they do, and create a buzz that leads to new funding. Everyone wins!
Don’t they have to pay for the Print version?
The publisher donates time, experience and money preparing and marketing the book for the charity, and couldn’t afford to give away printed copies on top. Each print-on-demand print book is sold at COST plus one dollar for the charity, so anyone, including the charity and its supporters, is free to buy it and sell it on at a profit to raise funds for them. This is a win-win situation as the charity will still receive the $1 per print book sold even if they buy their own book for resale, or to use as a raffle prize in fundraisers.
Isn’t this just a gimmick?
Our lovely contributors were so enthusiastic about the first one that we incorporated the anthologies into a permanent expression of our corporate ethos. Four volumes will come out in 2015 and we will continue to produce new ones. It is our way of Piffing.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Young alias Bernard Foong is, first and foremost, a sensitivist. He finds nuance in everything. To experience the world he inhabits is an adventure which is mystical, childlike and refreshing. He has a rare ability to create beauty in a unique fashion. His palettes have been material, paint, words and human experiences. By Christine Maynard (screenwriter and novelist).

I was born into a privileged Malaysian Chinese family. Following my brothers' footsteps, I was sent to an exclusive boarding school in England. It is there that I was inducted into a clandestine organization, E.R.O.S. The Enlightened Royal Oracle Society. For four years, unbeknownst to my family, I was willingly and happily part of a Harem.

What do you do when you are not writing?

My hobbies is Zumba, swimming, reading and doing creative projects. Although I’m a semi-retired fashion designer, I still keep in touch with the international fashion scene; especially Asian designers.

Do you have a day job as well?

My day job is writing and promoting/marketing my memoirs/books.

When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I first started writing in 2010. I had a nagging calling within to document my unique adolescent life and education.

Now that I’m semi-retired from my once very active fashion lifestyle, it is time for me to reflect upon my unique early experiences and to inform the world what my positive experiences in the Middle Eastern harems were like.

I believe my early experiences shaped my adult life to who I am today.

I finished A Harem Boy’s Saga – book I – Initiation; a memoir by Young a year later – in 2011.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I did not choose the genre. It chose me.

Where do you get your ideas?

Remembrance of things past. Luckily I’ve an abundance of photographs, diaries, journals to spur me to remember what transpired during those early years of my Middle Eastern harem experiences.

Although, I’ve taken creative liberties when it comes to the individual dialogues spoken by the various characters in my autobiography. I remember the gist of what transpired.

I’ve also changed the names and places to protect the identities of those involve in the secret society and the unique school and Arab Households I was in service at.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

I seldom get writer’s block because I let my thoughts flow naturally out of me as I remember the events. Although I cannot remember the actual dialogues spoken – I remember the gist of what was being said.

I also have an abundance of old photographs taken during those early years, documenting my life then. I use these to trigger my memories to document the events in the books.

I do need complete silence when I write – which is 8 – 10 hours daily.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?

I just write.I’m very discipline when it comes to setting time for my daily writing schedule.

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by Anne Rice was one of the influences because I have a presage that Ms. Rice went through a similar harem experiences like I did.

The abundance of school bullying and shooting prompted me to tell of my unique education.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

The first two books in A Harem Boy’s Saga series were self-published. The easy part is the writing but when it comes to marketing books, it’s an entirely different ball game.

I’m lucky to my literary agent, Emerantia Antonia Parnall-Gilbert (Gilbert Literary Agency) after almost 6 months of non-stop searching for a publisher and agent. I wrote to close to 160 publishers/agents before I had a positive response from Gilbert Literary Agency.

I’m lucky to have Solstice Publishing interested in my autobiography to publish the entire 7 book series. It was Emerantia who hooked me with Solstice Publishing.

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

I would have found myself a publisher and literary agent and not self-publish.

How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

Through the usual channels: Tweeter, Facebook, Authors/Books promotional organizations. Enter book award competitions and joining international book fairs. Connecting with book clubs, etc.

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

No! The books/series I’m currently writing is what I love doing and it’s an inner calling form a higher power to tell my story to the world.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

I’ve 2 upcoming books:

No Distance Between Us is a coming-of-age gay true love story (base on my sexual experience). It is a provocative story is about a young man (me) who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society. He was spirited to the Middle East, from his UK boarding school. He attended the Bahriji School (Oasis,) in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving in Harems for the wealthy and elite.

It is also a love story between the young man (me) and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperone and mentor during the boy’s Harem service.

A Harem Boy’s Saga – IV – Turpitude; a memoir by Young is the continual saga of A Harem Boy’s Saga – I – Initiation, II – Unbridled and III – Debauchery.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

My memoirs are based on my own experiences. Although, I’ve taken creative liberties when it comes to the individual dialogues spoken by the various characters in my autobiography. I remember the gist of what transpired.

I’ve also changed the names and places to protect the identities of those involve in the secret society and the unique school and Arab Households I was in service at.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

The erotic scenes because I remember the situations very clearly and am able to express my emotions and feelings I felt at the time with all my sexual partners and lovers.

How did you come up with the title?

It comes to me through a higher source. I just having this knowing what the title for each book is going to be either before, during or after the book is completed. It’s my guardian angel whispering in my ear on what to write and the names for each chapter and books. I listen to my inner voice and heed its messages.

What project are you working on now?

I’m currently working A Harem Boy’s Saga – IV – Turpitude; a memoir by Young.

My Yuletide short story book No Distance Between Us (a true to life coming-of-age gay love story) is schedule for release on Nov. 21st 2014.

I’m also working with Solstice Publishing on having A Harem Boy’s Saga series made into audio books.

I’m also working on book II – Unbridled screen treatment and overview for Emerantia, my agent to submit to producers to consider A harem Boy’s Saga series being made into films/TV mini-series and Stage Musical productions.

Will you have a new book coming out soon?

Already answered this question See above answers.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

I’m continuously doing that with A Harem Boy’s Saga series.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

I don’t dwell on negatively only positivity. Therefore the best compliment would be:

5.0 out of 5 stars OMG, OMG, OMG - I can't believe this is a real story!, September 22, 2014

Never have I read a story that has me exclaiming "OMG, OMG, OMG" every few chapters. This autobiographical story shares the intensely personal journey of a young boy as he comes of age in the midst of a male harem in the Middle East. He experiences all the things that forbidden and taboo...you know those "unmentionable elephants in the room" that we are warned about from an early age. I had to read this real life adventure to find out how messed up and damaged he must be. Imagine my surprise to meet an emotionally healthy young man who successfully grabs all life has to offer and does it with an innocence that is simply beautiful.

Don't read this book if you aren't ready for your ingrained beliefs and values to be challenged. Don't read this book if you are not ready to delve into a side of our global society that is well hidden from most. Don't read this book unless you too are ready to step into a new adventure. Initiation will change how you view the world.

Well done Bernard.

Wendy had summed up my series excellently and this is exactly what I like to say to my readers.

Be diligent about setting a time frame/goal to finish your manuscript.

Not to worry about what you are planning to write. Once you begin with the 1st word, you’ll know what the next word is going to be. When I write, it’s like channeling a separate spirit/entity within my person. Thoughts flows automatically through me and I write what comes naturally out of my hand.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Historical accuracy is an important factor to consider when I’m writing memoirs/autobiographies and biographies. I like spending time doing research and learning/discovering new techniques in photo-shop/enhancements.

Traveling broadens my mind. My life partner and I are planning an up-coming road trip to the S. of France.

These are some of the goals I hope to achieve through

A Harem Boy Saga:

Provide Tolerance to Sissy Boys by understanding parents/peers and the community.

Between parents/teachers and young students on sexual topics/issues, especially when adolescent are just discovering their sexuality. They can be guided on a healthy and honest sexual journey instead of "don’t ask, don’t tell" hide it behind the closet policy.

Synopsis: No Distance Between Us

An Excerpt from A
Harem Boy’s Saga - I – Initiation; a memoir by Young.

It is also a love
story between the young man and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperone and
mentor during the boy’s Harem service.

Author’s note:

I had a privileged
and unique upbringing in Malaysia. Following in my brothers' footsteps, I was
sent to an exclusive boarding school in England. It is there that I was
inducted into a clandestine organization, E.R.O.S. The Enlightened Royal
Oracle Society. For fouryears,
unbeknownst to my family, I was willingly and happily part of a Harem.

My story has been
kept under wraps for close to 45 years. The correct moment has arrived for me
to make known my unique education.

This provocative
story is about a young man who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society.
He was spirited to the Middle East, from his UK boarding school. He attended
the Bahriji School (Oasis,) in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for
serving in Harems for the wealthy and elite.

It is also a love
story between the young man and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperone and
mentor during the boy’s Harem service.

Author’s note:

I had a privileged
and unique upbringing in Malaysia, where I was known as a "sissy
boy." Following in my brothers' footsteps, I was sent to an exclusive boarding
school in England. It is there that I was inducted into a clandestine
organization, E.R.O.S. The Enlightened Royal Oracle Society. For fouryears, unbeknownst to
my family, I was willingly and happily part of a Harem.

My story has been
kept under wraps for close to 45 years. The correct moment has arrived for me
to make known my unique education.

Unbridled is the sequel to Initiation - A provocative story about
a young man who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society. He was
spirited to the Middle East, from his UK boarding school. He attended the
Bahriji School (Oasis,) in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving
in Harems for the wealthy and elite.

It is also a love
story between the young man, his ‘Big Brother’ and his ‘Valet’ who served as
his chaperones and mentors during the boy’s Harem services.

This bookfollows the teenagers’ erotic and
exotic adventures and experiences at their 2nd Arab Household Harem, the Sekham.
They were apprentices and models, for the household patriarch’s controversial
photography project, “Sacred Sex in
Sacred Places”.

The author's experiences present facts
that are truthful. Through these truths, which are often demonized by
contemporary societies that deem such behaviors inappropriate, the author hopes
to dispel condemnations and negativity which relate to his experiences.

Debauchery is the
triquel to A Harem Boy’s Saga, a provocative story about a young man who was initiated into a
clandestine sexual society through his UK boarding school. From there, he was
spirited to the Middle East to attend the Bahriji (Oasis) School in The United
Arab Emirates in preparation for Harem services for the wealthy elite.

It is also a love story
between the young man, his ‘Big Brother,’ and his ‘Valet,’ who served as his
chaperones and mentors.

This bookfollows the teenagers’ erotic and
exotic adventures and experiences at their third Arabian Household Harem, the
Quwah. There, they became confidants to a prince, assistants in an international
dance club venture, “Carousel,” and
apprentices and models in a controversial photography project, “Sacred Sex in Sacred Places.”

This story is an account of the author’s
experiences. Through these truths, often demonized by contemporary societies
that deem such behaviors inappropriate, the author hopes to dispel condemnation
and negativity related to sexuality, love, and personal freedom.

Monday, May 26, 2014

the first person to answer all the questions correctly will win a swag bag of unbelievable quality.
You will need to be the first to get on Facebook and get a private message to me.

June 11th is the release date for So You Want To Be A Marine. From Solstice Publishing.
here are the questions.
1. What happened to me when I came face to face with a King Cobra?
2. How much time did I append in jail?
3. How many times do I mention Pontiac, Illinois in my book?
4. To whom am I referring when i mention the song "Charlie on the MTA?
5. How do I describe the plane after it arrives in San Diego?
6. What happened to me when I looked the DI in the eyes?
7. Why do I spell Viet Nam the way I do in the book?
8. To what use was the quarter size piece of toilet paper put?
9. What happened with the cockroaches?
10. What did the cigarette test prove?
11. What did we call the guy who threatened to frag me in Viet Nam?
12. What did getting short mean?
14. Why was I picked to go the Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington D.C.?
15. What is the real name of the Bar I call the Purple Eagle?
16. Where did I meet Faye?
17. In what city were we married? Where Were we married?
18. What did our wedding feast consist of?
19. What great bus did I drive the last day of enlistment?
20. Who always said, "Who loves ya, baby"? (trick question, not intended to count in contest but whom ever answers it will get something special.

Friday, May 23, 2014

The time is now. Get your reservations in, get that credit card out. Yeah, baby. JUNE 11th is the official release date for my new book.
"So You Want To Be A Marine"
What life was really like in the green machine.
Just a few things the recruiter left out.

The Marine Corps
immortalized by Hollywood hardly resembles the dysfunctional organization I
joined in 1967, just as the Vietnam War was heating up. Incompetence,
arrogance, sadism—all were rampant from the top down in an indifferent
hierarchy that rewarded obedience over competence and sycophancy over
truth-telling.

My four-year tour took
me from California’s Camp Pendleton to North Carolina’s Cherry Point, from
Subic Bay Naval Air Station on the isle of Luzon to Vietnam’s Chu Lai, where I
served on the flight line as a jet engine mechanic. I never saw combat, but I
witnessed enough to convince me that, had I to do it all over again, I would
take a different path.